TRENDS (25 January 2010)

President Arroyo’s rural infrastructure, farm technology, increase rice yield

MALAYBALAY City (25 January 2010) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s focus in the country’s rural infrastructure particularly roads, bridges and communal irrigation systems, raised the rice yield of Filipino farmers.

Recent data show that as of December 31, 2009, the country had produced some 3.63 metric tons of palay per hectare, which is higher than the 3.07 metric tons palay yield per hectare in 2000.

This figure indicates an increase of 18.24 percent in metric tons of rice yield per hectare.

In addition, PGMA’s investments in the construction and installation of post-harvest facilities and technologies like mechanical and solar dryers, including the delivery of training programs and technological innovation boosted the country’s palay production.

Infrastructure is an important element in agricultural production as it lowers costs of inputs, expands markets and facilitates trade.

Further, it raises farmers’ income making them more productive and profitable. (PIA-10)


Palay buying price gets 100% higher under Arroyo Administration

MALAYBALAY City (25 January 2010) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hiked the buying price of palay during her term from 2000 to 2009.

Latest data show the government is now buying palay at P17 per kilogram, an increase of 100% from its buying price of 8.50 per kilogram government-support price for palay in December 31, 2000.

The increase in the palay procurement price will raise farmers’ earnings and boost their enthusiasm to produce more, especially with high-yielding hybrid seeds.

This is also in line with the government’s efforts to promote the productivity and profitability of Filipino rice farmers. (PIA-10)


PNP arrests 17 gun ban violators in Lanao Sur

ISLAMIC City of Marawi (25 January 2010)—The Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office (LSPPO) revealed that 17 persons were apprehended in the province for violating Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution 8714.

Police Senior Superintendent Paniares U. Adap said that of the 17 arrested, eight (8) are members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), two (2) from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), one (1) government official, three (3) security guards and three (3) civilians.

The Provincial Director also disclosed that they have confiscated a total of six (6) high-powered and eleven (11) low powered firearms from January 10 to 24.

The LSPPO have further filed two (2) cases for gun ban violations, one (1) was also referred to the GRP-MILF and the remaining 14 is still under investigation, PSSupt. Adap added.

The COMELEC issued Resolution 8714 imposing a total gun ban during the election period starting January 10 to June 9 of this year.

The resolution states that only regular member of the PNP and the AFP as well as other law enforcement agencies are authorized to bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons during the election period provided that they are on duty and wearing the appropriate uniform. (Apipa P Bagumbaran / PIA-Marawi)


COMELEC- Lanao Sur to conduct public demo on the use of PCOS machine

ISLAMIC City of Marawi (25 January 2010) – The provincial office of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here in Lanao del Sur is set to conduct a series of public demonstration on the use of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) to voters in the different municipalities of the province.

According to COMELEC-ARMM Regional Director Rey Sumalipao, the PCOS is the solution in making every step of the electoral process transparent, orderly, credible and auditable.

He said the public demonstration which is part of their voter’s education campaign will give voters an idea on how the machine works.

The use of the PCOS, he further said, will shorten the burden of manual counting and transmission of election results from precinct level to municipal and provincial board of canvassers.

Sumalipao also added that the training for teachers on the automated electoral process will be completed by March.

On the other hand, Lanao del Sur Election Officer Atty. Nasib Yasin encourages the public to participate in the demonstration.

With the use of the PCOS machines, it is expected that cheating and other election frauds will be minimized and winning candidates will be proclaimed in due time which can minimize the tensions between candidates and their respective supporters, the election officer added. (Apipa P Bagumbaran / PIA-Marawi)


Health officials beef up dengue prevention drive

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin—To heighten public awareness on the preventive measures against the dreaded dengue disease, local executives in the island province mobilized its health personnel for a continuous dengue prevention drive.

Early this month the Provincial Health Office (PHO) convened all barangay captains and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders to discuss crucial concerns of the disease and measures to control its spread.

The latest surveillance report on dengue in Camiguin went up from 27 cases in 2008 to 91 reported cases in 2009.

With the recorded rise of 64 additional cases last year, the PHO however assures the public that there is no outbreak as these cases are sporadic in nature.

Areas with the highest number of reported cases are in the towns of Mambajao with 61 and Sagay recording about 18 dengue cases.

The PHO is now closely coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd) for a massive dengue prevention and control information drive during parents-teachers meet.

About nine (9) parents-teachers meeting undertaken dengue orientation for this month alone and the information drive will continue for the rest of the year.

Health officials likewise continue to advise residents to practice the DOH “4S” campaign to include: (1) Search and destroy breeding places of mosquitoes; (2) Self protection by wearing proper clothing; (3) Seek early consultation; and (4) Say no to indiscriminate fogging because of risk to individuals suffering from asthma.

The provincial capitol, schools and other government offices in Camiguin also undertake periodic clean up of its buildings and surrounding grounds to help stop the spread of the disease. (Jorie C. Valcorza / PIA 10)


Solon urges to support bill exempting senior citizens from EVAT

MAHINOG, Camiguin – The Municipal Council, presided by Vice Mayor Rogerio C. Acle, passed on Monday a resolution urging Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo, Representative of the Lone District of Camiguin, to file or support a bill exempting senior citizens from the 12-percent expanded value-added tax (E-VAT) on goods and services they buy.

Under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003, senior citizens are entitled to a 20 percent discount on their purchase of goods and services like medical and dental care, transport fare, among others.

Councilor Liberato E. Babanto, principal author, lamented that since 2006 the discount has been effectively reduced to only 8 per cent since seniors were also required to pay the 12 percent E-VAT in their purchase of medicines, goods and services.

"The exemption of senior citizens from the 12% EVAT is long overdue since the 20% discount is not fully enjoyed by the senior citizens due to the imposition of 12% E-VAT on goods and services they buy," said Babanto, chair, Sanggunian Bayan (SB) committee on family relations and social services.

“After retirement, most of our senior citizens have no stable means of income and the enjoyment of 20 percent full discount on medicines and other benefits as provided for by law would really ease their financial burdens,” Babanto said.

Several bills were filed in both houses of Congress seeking to grant additional benefits and privileges for senior citizens. A bicameral conference committee was created to craft a common version of the measure when Congress resumes session in January, it was learned. (Homer R. Jajalla – Municipal Information)


MisOr power firm defers plant maintenance

VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental – Power producer STEAG State Power Inc. defers a major preventive maintenance work slated by end of the month amidst mounting concerns on possible energy shortage in the island.

In a recent letter submitted to the Mindanao Generation Office of the National Power Corporation (NPC), Dr. Carsten Evers, Steag plant manager, said the maintenance work for one of its power generating units will be deferred until middle of this year taking into consideration the critical supply of electricity in the Mindanao grid.

“Aware of the power situation of the island, we decided to postpone the maintenance work of our power generating unit 1 to help ensure that Mindanao will have sufficient supply of electricity,” Dr. Evers said.

He disclosed however that a load reduction by about 60MW will be effected within the week to pave way for some minor maintenance activities.

“The load reduction is necessary to enable us to undertake urgent and important maintenance activities to ensure that the power plant will continue fulfilling its mission of providing a reliable supply of power to Mindanao,” Dr Evers explained.

Steag’s Mindanao plant has an installed net generating capacity of 210MW and supplies roughly around 20% of Mindanao’s electricity. It has so far delivered more than 4 billion KwH since start of its operations in the last quarter of 2006.

Its timely operation has averted an impending power shortage in the island and thus far helped stabilize supply of power to Mindanao. (Steag State Power Press Release)